Eldora Schultze

Eldora Schultze, age 99, of Marathon, Iowa died Monday, July 15, 2024 at Laurens Care Center in Laurens, Iowa. 

Funeral services will take place Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Albert City. Burial will be in the Fairfield Township Cemetery in Albert City. Visitation will be held Friday, July 19, 2024 from 4-7:00 with family present from 5-7:00 p.m. at Sliefert Funeral Home in ALBERT CITY. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Marathon EMS. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements. 

Eldora (Erlandson) Schultze was born at home in rural Albert City to parents Nels and Selma (Peterson) Erlandson on September 17, 1924.

She was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albert City and remained an active member her entire life. She attended school and graduated from the Albert City Community School with the class of 1942.

Eldora and Lester (Herky) Schultze were married on February 26, 1949. This union was blessed with two children, Kermit and Sally. Herky and Eldora began farming west of Albert City, until they purchased the Black Earth Farm west of Marathon, moving in 1964. Eldora remained on the farm the next 59 years, where she loved being outside keeping her yard clear of sticks and mowing, with burning as her hobby! She often said she was staying on the farm until she couldn’t drive or mow. That time arrived when she moved to the Ruthven Assisted Living at age 99. She later moved to the Laurens Care Center until her death.

Eldora started work immediately after high school. She first worked at Harper’s Bakery in Albert City but was soon employed at the Sundholm ammunitions factory being an original “Rosie’s Riveter.” Her career in the newspaper/printing industry began at the Albert City Appeal owned by C. A. Paulsen. She was asked to gather local news, but when needed, moved to the backroom and learned to operate the linotype. She continued in the printing business working at the Newell Mirror owned by Leonard Paulsen, and eventually the Laurens Sun and Laurens House of Print under Neil Mauer and Dave Evans. She worked there into her mid-80’s. Her printing family was very dear to her.

In her later years, her personal mission was visiting residents of the Pleasant View Home in Albert City. She went every Sunday morning prior to church, only stopping when she could no longer drive to church.

She loved all sports and you would always find her TV tuned to a ballgame – football, basketball, or baseball. Her favorites being the ISU Cyclones, Iowa Hawkeyes, and of course, her beloved Cubs! When watching games, her hands were busy making nylon scrubbies. She made thousands of these scrubbies over the years, shipping them throughout the country.

Eldora is survived by her children: Kermit (Julie) Schultze of Marathon, Sally (Dale) Wenell of Albert City; granddaughters: Julie (JD) Greiner of Dunlap, Illinois, Felicia (Ryan) Harrington of Wilmington, Delaware; great-grandchildren: Clark and Emily Greiner and Clara Harrington; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herky in 1987; brother and sister-in-law, Eldon and Maxine Erlandson.

The family offers special thank you to the Ruthven Assisted Living, Ruthven Care Center, Laurens Care Center, and St. Croix Hospice. We so appreciated all your care, comfort, and compassion.

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